A/N I am so sorry at the lengthy delay. As some of you are aware I had a lull in writing as I have a family member who is really unwell. But as they are more stable, I took my planned vacation. So I've had a couple of weeks in the sunshine relaxing. Unfortunately I had no internet...but for the first time in years I didn't write at all. Feeling tons better, and I'm back. I promise to get this story wrapped up as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience and all your thoughts and comments. Mz

Chapter Forty Six

Oscar had no idea how to cope with her almost instant dismissal. But as he finally pulled himself together, dragged himself out into the hallway to catch up with her, he was met with a slamming front door. Often she walked to school, but today she was in already in her car when he opened the door. He could follow her, but he knew that a confrontation in front of the school gates would be a million miles from what they both wanted...or needed.

Instead, he reluctantly returned to the lounge...there was only one thing to do. Think of a plan, a way of showing her that he was worth a final chance.

Half an hour later, she was home. Nate bouncing around the place like a Jack-in-a-box, gushing over the important things to a five year old, completely unaware that the parent figures in his life were silent, distant with each other, but never with him. Oscar was almost amazed at Lizzie's serenity, her calmness; he KNEW that she was as affected by this as he was. A few months ago he might have seen her aloofness as disinterest, but he knew that wasn't the case. She was as into him as he was her, but she was an actress, and with a life time's practice, a very bloody good one at that.

He watched her as she sang along to some Bruno Mars song on the radio with Nate. She was cool, calm and collected, and he decided to make her eat her words. He would show her that she needed and wanted him as much as he did her, but he would also prove that he was worth that final risk. He knew that Freya would be proud of him, because a few months ago he wouldn't have given a shit, he'd have written this off as bad luck, but as he watched the two laughing, he knew that he wanted them both, not just Nate, this place felt like home. He never thought he'd settle down to be part of a family, but he was. He couldn't believe that he'd blown it; he couldn't accept that it was over...after all, this was his future, his tomorrow.

He left the two of them to dinner preparation, Lizzie was making pizza, and Nate loved helping her. He had to plan, and regroup. So disappearing to his room, he started to make some phone calls.

"I'm going swimming."

Lizzie appeared as Oscar and Nate were finishing their pizzas, she spotted him roll his eyes, he knew that she was avoiding him, but then that shouldn't be a surprise. Tomorrow they'd meet with her solicitor, get an agreement of sorts set out, then she could regroup, lick her wounds. Losing time with Nate would break her, but the awkward presence of Oscar was hard too. She needed to protect her sanity. That was vital.

"You'll put Nate to bed?" She asked without meeting his eyes, instead she stooped to kiss Nate on the cheek. "Be good for your Dad, darling, ok?"

As he smiled at her nodding, his mouth full of pizza, she made the mistake of looking up at Oscar. The look he gave her almost turned her into dust, it was hot, and completely unapologetic, his desire for her evident on every inch of his face.

As if it was that easy, a hot look would make it all alright...did he really believe that? Grabbing her bag she gave him her best pissed off scowl then left the house.

The pool was cold, and virtually empty. Just what she needed as she tried to make sense of all that had happened. Her anger at Oscar was still there, bubbling under the surface, but she had to admit that the biggest and most overwhelming feeling was the pain that his hurt had caused. And then there was the fear, the fear both that he'd rip her heart out, leave her unable to cope without him, and in equal amounts that she'd have to live without him. But the pain was worse, the betrayal, that was what had to shape what happened next, whilst she still had feelings for him, she had to think of herself, she had to preserve her own sanity. That was her prerogative.

The swim made her tired, but it did also help her achieve what she wanted. Clarity. Once she'd showered and changed, she moved into the adjacent cafe, ordered coffee and some toast, then opened her phone. She wanted to catch up on life. So she messaged Vicky, and a couple of work colleagues. Within moments she was engrossed in several simultaneous conversations with a few friends, about everything and nothing. It was indulgent, and fun. Something that her life had lacked for a long, long time.

It was almost ten when she got back to the house, and as she pulled her small car up outside, that same sick feeling washed over her. Dread. She wasn't great on confrontation...which was exactly why she had let so many people walk roughshod over her emotions, for so long. She had to go in, face him, and make this what she wanted. It was imperative.

Taking a deep breath, she psychologically pulled up her big girl's pants and pushed open the front door.

Oscar watched the door intently. He recognised the sound of the car as it pulled up outside the house. He wasn't sure which version of Lizzie would enter the house. The sassy confident one who thinks she knows what she wants...or the shy, nervous version who was finding it so hard to fight what they both know she wanted. He sighed, he wasn't being cocky or over confident, he knew that she cared for him, but he also knew that he was the reason why she was doubting all that they had.

He had to come good. This was entirely on him...he knew that.

But still his eyes were trained on the door. His curiosity at seeing her still battled with his arousal. He wanted her more than anything, or anyone he'd ever known. He couldn't wait to set eyes on her again, he was almost desperate.

"Hey." He offered as soon as she opened the door, gutted that his voice sounded so breathy.

She inclined her head, slightly, almost imperceptibly. Before cutting through the room to the kitchen. He watched her go...this was a game, a marathon and not a sprint. He had to take his time, play her at her own game. The prize was too great.

He could hear cupboard doors open and close as she moved around the kitchen. He was desperate to get up, see what she was doing...but instead, he took a deep breath and sipped at the bottle of beer that sat beside him. Through the open door, he watched her tip back a large glass of milk, finishing it in one attempt. Then she perched against the kitchen table, her back towards him, as she started on a sandwich that she'd just made.

"That looks good."

From his position leaning against the doorway to the kitchen, he had a perfect view of her reaction to his words. Her shoulders lifted, tension snuck through her body, and the knuckles on that hand that supported her, turned white.

"It's ok. Hungry after swimming."

She didn't turn, didn't make any effort of eye contact, and he smiled at the predictability of her.

"Energetic work." He said after a long pause. "Good swim?"

She nodded; again, she failed to turn.

It wasn't until he chuckled that her head snapped around and she glared at him, "what?"

It was his turn to shrug, "nothing."

His silence only increased her frustration, "you have to stop this!"

"Stop what?" It took every ounce of his self control to stay there, not move towards her.

Lizzie rolled her eyes with frustration, "stop making this difficult, this atmosphere."

He laughed, "by what? Asking how your day went? Lizzie, come on."

She scowled, and it was adorable. Before she could respond, he grinned, "you're the one making this difficult...but denying that you want me...as much as I want you."

As her face flushed he pulled himself off the doorframe and grinned, "and that's a huge amount...massive!"

Her breath hitched in her throat, he could tell, he was watching her so intently, and before she could find the perfect reaction, he nodded at her, "see you in the morning."

Lizzie watched him leave and wanted to explode. She had so many things that she wanted to say, he'd created so many questions. And he'd bloody walked out. She was tempted to run after him and punch him, slap his face...but that would make him realise that he'd got to her. He had...but she would hate for him to know that.

As she slammed the glass and plate into the sink, she tried to ignore the few words that he'd uttered. Each one poignant and deliberate. 'Denying that you want me...as much as I want you'. She blushed again, had he really said that? She filled a glass with water and drank it all in one go. But she couldn't hide from the fact that, yes...he had said it. 'And that's a huge amount.' Her body shuddered at that.

How the hell was she meant to last if he kept throwing comments like that at her?

Upstairs, Nate was fast asleep; everything was in darkness, except for the slash of light shining from under his door. He was awake, probably lying in bed laughing at her. With a grunt she stormed into the bathroom, used the toilet, and cleaned her teeth. When she emerged, that light had gone too, the chance to confront him over until the morning. She still didn't know whether she wanted to laugh or cry at that.

Her bed was cold, and vast without him, and she couldn't get him out of her mind as she tossed and turned, punching her pillow and ruing her inability to switch off.

She never slept late, but Lizzie guessed it was almost four am when she finally fell asleep. When she managed to peel her eyes open, she was shocked to see her alarm clock said almost eight thirty. She must have hit snooze to sleep this late, Nate was going to be late for school.

She jumped up, reaching for her robe, and almost fell down the stairs...

...to find Nate pulling on his shoes and Oscar filling his lunchbox with sandwiches. She needn't have worried.

"Aunty Liz, did you sleep well? Dad said to let you sleep in as you'd had a bad night."

She smiled at him and gave him a hug, but the anger and frustration of the previous night came flying back to her. Oscar entered the hallway as they ended the hug, dressed immaculately in his suit.

As he tossed Nate his coat, he smiled at her, "it's all in hand. Go back to bed."

She grimaced awkwardly, she hated that she hadn't done what she should have, she felt anything but gratitude for her lie-in. Oscar seemed oblivious as he bundled them both out of the door, as he turned back he added, "arranged that solicitor meet today. Midday at yours, can you make it?"

She mumbled, "you know where my solicitor is?"

Oscar shrugged, "well, presume that you'll use your sister's."

He stared at her, until she nodded, then gave her a dazzling smile, "great."

As she stared at the closed door, she wondered what the hell he had up his sleeve.